The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has called for the government to completely abandon controversial planning legislation that threatens to strip away vital environmental protections from sensitive wildlife areas including the New Forest and chalk streams.
The organisation has demanded ministers completely withdraw Part 3 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, arguing it would eliminate crucial safeguards for some of Britain’s most vulnerable wildlife habitats.
Debbie Tann MBE, the Trust’s Chief Executive, described the legislation as “the biggest – and most damaging – change to environmental protections in a generation,” warning that Labour’s electoral pledge to safeguard and restore nature would face “betrayal” should the bill proceed.
“Only 8 per cent of England is protected for nature, and less than half of that is in good condition,” she stated. “Stripping away these protections makes recovery impossible”.
Nature Restoration Fund Controversy
The bill’s most contentious element involves proposals allowing developers to circumvent stringent habitat regulations through payments into a “Nature Restoration Fund”. Environmental campaigners warn this mechanism could result in natural habitat destruction in one area whilst replacement efforts occur elsewhere, delivering minimal benefits to local ecosystems or communities.
The Office for Environmental Protection has already branded the legislation “environmentally regressive”. Despite conservation organisations’ attempts to secure amendments, ministers have dismissed these proposals, prompting the Wildlife Trusts and RSPB to jointly campaign for Part 3’s complete removal.
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Public Opposition
Research commissioned by the Wildlife Trusts reveals widespread public concern, with only 26 per cent of voters believing the government treats the nature crisis seriously. Just 25 per cent would back new developments causing local environmental damage.
Government representatives have defended the proposals, describing them as a “win-win” approach that would “unblock building and economic growth” whilst ensuring “positive environmental outcomes”.
Ministers argue the legislation will accelerate development and enhance nature conservation by replacing lengthy individual assessments with strategic planning approaches. They maintain the Nature Restoration Fund will strengthen environmental protection by enabling developer contributions to large-scale conservation projects, reducing costs whilst maintaining positive ecological results.
